CHRISTIE’S EUROPEAN DECORATIVE ARTS WEEK TOTALS $38 MILLION European Decorative Arts Week, a multi-faceted week comprising of sales, public exhibitions, lectures, and book signings realized $38 million in sales last week
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - New York – Christie’s is pleased to announce that European Decorative Arts Week, a multi-faceted week comprising of sales, public exhibitions, lectures, and book signings realized $38 million in sales last week. A new concept for Christie’s, this thematic grouping of events and sales was well-received by seasoned connoisseurs, new collectors, and the mere curious alike, all of whom share an appreciation for the extraordinary richness and variety of the over 500 years of creativity ranging from the Renaissance to the Belle Époque.
“European Decorative Arts Week at Christie’s was enthusiastically received and created tremendous excitement in the marketplace through a series of tailored, innovative events and lectures, which perfectly complemented a superb group of sales,” said William Strafford, Specialist Head of the European Furniture and Decorative Arts Department in New York.
The program of sales was accompanied by a variety of exclusive events catering to all levels of collectors. From book readings by acclaimed authors, to panel discussions with top designers and taste makers, these special additions to the European Decorative Arts Week lineup not only brought these time periods to life, but also underscored the relevance of the period’s many design styles in enhancing a wide variety of interiors today. Adding an additional layer of excitement was the much-talked about Segoura sale exhibition. Specially-designed by the internationally acclaimed decorator, Juan Pablo Molyneux, this exhibit masterfully recreated the sumptuousness of Maurice Segoura’s famed Parisian gallery.
The events and public exhibitions generated an incredible amount of excitement surrounding the sales and the exceptional mix of masterpieces found within each. The week opened with the highly-anticipated sale of the collection of Maurice Segoura, a sale that far-exceeded its pre-sale high estimate to realize over $18 million. Other highlights included the afternoon session of the Important English Furniture sale which provided a rare opportunity to acquire original furnishings from the Kersey Coates Reed House, a David Alder and Francis Elkins commission that epitomizes the eclectic mix of traditional Georgian and modern furnishings used so effectively by the duo. The collection realized over $1.5 million – more than three times its pre-sale estimate - and was 99% sold.
A series of world records were also set, including the world auction record for Russian furniture set in the Segoura sale for a pair of Russian gilt-bronze consoles which realized $1,360,000; and a record for 19th century European ceramics was set in the 19th Century Furniture, Sculpture, Works of Art and Ceramics sale with the monumental Mintons “Jubilee Vase” made for the 1889 Paris Exhibition which realized $531,200.
Kate Swan
Public Relations
CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
phone 212.636.2680
fax 212.636.4951
www.christies.com
